The image on this tile is taken from an Attic Panathenaic prize amphora, dating to ca 450-420 B.C. and attributed to the so-called Painter of Achilles, now in the Archaeological Museum of Bologna (see image below).

These amphorae would have been filled with olive oil and given to the victors at the Panathenaia, a yearly festival held in honour of the patron goddess of the city, Athena. They typically depicted Athena on one side and, on the other, a featured sport.

The youths on the left who have inspired our tile are taking place in the foot race, one of the earliest competitions in the Olympic games. On the right, a victorious athlete wearing a wreath and holding bunches of twigs, is in conversation with an older man, perhaps his tutor.

The athletes’ muscles are clearly defined through the use of incision and they appear to move in unison as they strive for the finish line and victory.

This tile is produced and hand-painted for us in Greece. There may be a slight variation in colour from piece to piece. In order to make them look as close to the original as possible, many of the tiles have a 'craquelure' effect, to replicate the fine pattern of "cracking" formed on the surface of paintings, caused by the ageing of paints and pigments.

Should you wish to put these tiles in a bathroom or garden, we recommend that you apply a coat of transparent PVA sealant to protect them from rain and frost. They are supplied ready to hang, with a sturdy, embedded metal strip or, if preferred, they can be incorporated as features within a tiled wall.